Violet May Cotton was born on March 25, 1928 in Bellview, New Mexico. Her parents were Adrun Belmont Cotton and Celestia Cee Bainum. Violet was the oldest of five children. She had one brother, Adrun "Bryan" Cotton and three sisters, Carrie Maxine King, Dorothy "Adele" Masengale, and Daisy Ethridge Clemit.

Violet grew up in a very close family in New Mexico moving from town-to-town following her father as he looked for jobs where he could find work. The family eventually moved to Buckeye, Arizona where Violet graduated high school. After high school, Violet moved to California for a short time where she worked as a nanny before moving back to Arizona.

Violet met the love of her life through her hobby as a pen-pal. She began corresponding with Roy Dietrich Stein and the couple was married on April 3, 1960 in Buckeye. Roy and Violet were blessed with two children, Philip Allen Stein and Karen Joy Stainbrook, as well as four grandchildren, Jonathan "Daniel" Stainbrook, Michael Joseph Stainbrook, Kristin Joy Stein, and Caleb Isaac Stein.

Roy and Violet made their home on the Stein family farm Southwest of Anthony until moving to town in 1995. Weather permitting, Roy and Violet enjoyed going on daily walks holding hands along the way. Violet was a long-time member of the Anthony Church of the Nazarene where she was a Sunday school teacher, missionary president, and board member. She was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award for her many years of dedicated service to the Church as well as the Heritage Award. Violet enjoyed reading, sewing, ceramics, cooking, and collecting a wide assortment of knickknacks and dolls. She enjoyed typing cards and letters to her family and friends.

Violet passed away on December 27, 2017 at the Anthony Community Care Center. Violet was preceded in death by her husband Roy Stein; brother, Bryan Cotton; and sister, Adele Masengale. Survivors include her children: Philip and Kerri Stein of East End, Arkansas and Karen and John Stainbrook of Anthony; grandchildren: Daniel Stainbrook of Kansas City, Michael Stainbrook of Hays, Kristin Stein of Oklahoma City, Caleb Stein of East End; sisters: Carrie King of Spartanburg and Daisy Clemit of Glendale, Arizona.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony. The family would like to encourage everyone to wear Violet's favorite color, purple, to the service. Burial will follow in Spring Grove Cemetery.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2018 at Prairie Rose in Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Violet may be made to Anthony Elementary for the Library or to the Anthony Community Care Center, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003, is in charge of arrangements.